A/N: Sorry that it took me so long to update. I've had a really busy week. :(

Love Me Forever Or Love Me Never
Chapter 4: Confessions

The loud slam of a door in the hallway awoke Nico from his slumber. Groggily he sits up, glance around his bedroom. Morning sunlight streamed through the slight part in the curtains allowing a sliver of light to illuminate the dark room. Nico's gaze drifted over to the alarm clock on his nightstand. Yawning loudly he tried to focus enough to read the numbers. A gasp came from his lips as the clock flashed 7: 38. School started at 8:00. Jumping out of bed, dashing across the room, Nico raced towards his closet. In his frenzy Nico bumped into his closet door. His wrist smashed into the door knob and a stinging pain etched through his arm. With a slight intake of breath Nico gazed down at his arm. Suddenly, all the memories from the night before rushed back to him. Groaning loudly and placing his fingers to his head Nico leaned against the bedroom wall.

Swallowing the lump that formed in his throat he slowly began to undo the bandages on his wrist. Pulling tenderly at the gauze, a slight pain running through his wrist, Nico clenched his teeth. A hiss came from his mouth as he saw the angry red cuts that travel across his arm. Faint trace of blood soaked the gauze, red staining white. Grinding his teeth Nico slowly replaced the bandages on his wrist. Turning back towards his closet he began shifting through the hangers, ruffling clothes that sat on the floor. Finally finding the one he wanted he slid it from it's hanger. The gray and black striped shirt had been stuffed in the back of his closet who knows how long. He remembered buying the item a few years early, only wearing the garment and couple of times before it was discarded. Pulling the fabric over his chest he let out a sigh. The shirt was actually a couple of sizes to small, hugging his wiry form, the sleeves grasping his arms like another skin.

Nico would have wore another shirt but he didn't own many long sleeved shirts. The ones he did have were stained and tore from being wore so much and didn't really look presentable anymore. Besides it was better if the sleeves were tighter. They would not slide down and reveal any of his skin. Nico then slid his jacket over top of the shirt, just as a faint knock came on his door.

Rushing over, trying to forget about his wrists and what happened last night, Nico made his way towards the door, grasping the knob and pulling it open. Bianca stood before him, still dressed in her pajamas. For a moment Nico was confused. Perhaps he had his days wrong? Maybe it was Saturday instead of Friday? Why else would Bianca be dressed like that when they had to be at school in less then 20 minutes.

"Nico, are you ready for school?" Bianca asked groggily as though she had just been woken up. Nico nodded slightly still not understanding why Bianca looked like she had just rolled out of bed.

"Bianca, when are you going to get ready?" He asked curiously.

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Didn't mom tell you? I'm not going to school today. I'm going with her. She needs to go shopping for a special someone's birthday and so do I!" Bianca cried happily.

Nico stared at her in annoyance. Why did she get to miss school to go shopping for some stupid present? He hadn't even remembered his birthday was coming up, so why would he care about some idiotic gift from his sister.

"You need to hurry up Nico or you'll miss the bus." Bianca piped up looking at him strangely. Apparently he had been staring off into space.

Nico gagged. "What? Your suppose to drive me to school!" He sputtered.

"Not today. I have to get ready to go shopping Nico. You know I have to take a bath, do my hair…" She started.

"Oh god. I don't need the details of how you prepare for the day." Nico said shaking his head as he dodged around his sister and head down the stairs.

Nico spent the whole day looking for Percy. From the moment he walked through the school doors he was watching, waiting to see Percy so that he could apologies for the night before. Maybe if the two could just talk for a second he could explain and repair their friendship. Although the school day drug on, being more boring then usual, things did pick up around lunch time.

Nico when through the lunch line in silence, not even looking at the items he placed on his tray. Slowly walking in the cafeteria Nico's eyes scanned the crowd. He slowly sit his tray down on a near by table. After a moment he spotted Grover, Annabeth, Thalia, and (of course) Percy. Nico froze for a moment as he saw Annabeth raise a finger, pointing at him. The others turned to see what had caught her attention. The moment he saw Nico Percy's smile faded. His eyes cast downward, almost as though he couldn't stand to look at Nico.

Climbing to his feet Percy started towards Nico with Grover following quickly behind, muttering something and grabbing Percy's arm, trying to stop him. Nico automatically felt the fear rising in him. He didn't want to talk to Percy anymore. By the time Percy reached him it was to late to bolt from the room.

Staring at him solemnly Percy shook his head.

"Hi." Nico managed. He shifted uncomfortable. "Listen Percy, I-"

"Shut up!" Percy snapped. "I don't want to hear it. I just wanted you to know your not welcome to come sit with us. Don't bother. None of us want you there."

"Percy!" Grover warned.

"The next time you want to talk to us, don't. The next time you want to sit with us, don't. The next time you need a friend don't call us. I can't stand being around a fag like you." With that Percy whirled around, strutting back towards his table. For a moment Grover hesitated, his gaze lingering on Nico. After a moment he turned and began jogging towards Percy. "Don't you think you were a little harsh?" Grover piped.

"No! I just- I don't really know how to deal with this alright! I mean Nico is one of my best friends but,- everything's just- everything's just so messed up now!" Percy snapped.

"Whatever you say." Grover said shaking his head slightly. Nico listened intently, soaking in every word Percy said. A shutter ran through his form and he could feel the anger bubbling in his chest. That bastard! Letting out a growl of frustration Nico flung his hand downwards. His fist smashed into the end of his lunch tray sending the contents flying. The plastic tray smacked the floor with a loud slam. Nico barely noticed as his shoes were splattered with food, although he did notice the murmurs that were echoing through out the room.

People laughed, their eyes stealing glances at him as he stood there dumbfound. Shaking his head rapidly, feeling as though someone had just driven a dagger through his chest, Nico took a deep breath and turned walking briskly from the cafeteria. The laughter and taunts followed him. Taking off down the hallway, his shoes squeaking and leaving a trail of his lunch, Nico headed towards the bathroom. Running into the boys room he quickly checked to make sure the room was not occupied. He barely made it to the sink before he began gasping, tears brimming over his cheeks and flowing down his face in torrents.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself, Nico grasped the side of the sink bending his head down low. When he looked back up he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He looked truly awful: His hair was a matted mess, his cheeks were red and puffy, a sheen of sweat covered his body. Although he looked quiet bad that wasn't what caught his attention. Looking behind him he saw the boy linger near the wall, watching Nico with sympathy. Nico had never seen the boy before, but he looked so familiar. Shaking his head Nico whipped around, startling the boy. Wiping his cheeks Nico strolled forward, doing his best to keep his head held high. Rushing pass the boy Nico scurried out into the hallway.

Trembling slightly, more tears threatening to spill from his eyes, Nico headed towards the main office. When he stepped into the office a older woman was sitting at the desk. He eyes drifted up towards him, momentarily forgetting about the typing she was doing on the computer. Her mouth formed a "o" as she looked at him.

" Are you alright dear? Do you need to sit down?" She asked getting up as though she wished to assist him. Putting up his hand he shooed her away.

"No, I'm fine. I just feel really sick. I think I need to go home." He said quietly.

"Of course." She muttered reaching towards the phone that sat upon the desk.

"Sorry you feel so awful." Bianca said softly as she sat on Nico's bed. Nico was seated beside her, Bianca's arm wrapped around his shoulder. He groaned, knowing for a fact he had spoiled his mother and Bianca's shopping trip. He hated to ruin it for them.

"You know what? Maybe we should do something fun!" Bianca cried not waiting for Nico to reply. Every time Nico got sick Bianca did the same thing. She always breaking out of her strict ways when he got sick hoping that he would enjoy the day even though he felt horrid. More often then not they would get in trouble or end up grounded for doing something they weren't suppose to.

Bianca's hand slowly slid over to Nico before she grasped his wrist, jerking upwards harshly, trying to drag him to his feet. Nico automatically jerked his hand out of her reach, terrified that even the slightest contact with his cuts would cause them to bleed once more. Bianca looked at him curiously. She knew something was wrong with him. He had never done that before.

"Nico, what's wrong with your arm?" She asked cautiously as if she was talking to a dangerous creature.

"Nothing!" Nico snapped harshly as she tried to touch his arm once more.

"Nico, your lying! I can tell! What's wrong?" A queasy feeling invaded her stomach as watched him glare back at her.

Nico started to say something but the first word hadn't even left his lips when suddenly Bianca pounced. Tackling Nico to the bed she held him down, grabbing his wrist.

"Stop! Bianca! Leave me alone!" Nico wailed flailing his arms. Finally Bianca managed to trap his arm. Jerking the shirt sleeve up Bianca looked at his arm perplexed. Slowly her fingers slid over the bandages until she found the hem. Nico swallowed hard, fear tensing up his body. Unwrapping the gauze Bianca recoiled, jumping away from Nico. Her mouth feel open in shock and horror. Nico looked down at his arm. Some of the red had seeped from the cuts but they were still that blaring crimson color. He knew for a fact it would scar, but overall it didn't look as awful as before.

Glancing up at his sister Nico sighed, leaning his cheek on his hand.
"Bianca, listen." Nico started.

Pointing dumbstruck at his arm she finally managed to speak. "Did you do this to yourself?!" She gasped.

Slowly Nico shook his head yes. Another gasp left Bianca's lips, but she was slightly over her initial shock. Striding forward her pace decreasing she slid back down onto his bed. With tender hands she reached over, wrapping her hands around his wrist and staring at the damage Nico had done to himself. Nico expected her to lose it. He expected a full melt down from his sister. Instead, when her eyes tore away from the cuts, she gave him a faint, sad smile. Shaking her head slowly she began pulling on Nico's wrist, dragging him to his feet. Her smile wavered slightly.

"I know something that will help these." She said motioning towards his arms.

"You do!?" Nico cried. After all that pain he had been through now there was away to get rid of it just like that.

"Come on." Bianca whispered. She led Nico down the hall and towards the stairs. Along the way Nico began to pull rapidly on his shirt sleeves, trying to hid his cuts. Down the stairs the two went Bianca walking solemnly in the lead with Nico bounding happily behind her. Slowly Bianca approached the kitchen door, holding up her hand and signaling for Nico to be silent.

Nico had to admit he was curious about what his sister had planned. What could this mysterious object be that would heal him. Opening the door slightly Bianca slid inside. She glanced back at Nico as she spotted their mother sitting at the kitchen table. Nico slinked in behind Bianca trying to be as quiet as possible. Suddenly his mother looked up from the book she was reading.

"Oh, hi kids!" She said with a smile. Bianca looked at her meekly.

"Mom." She croaked. Once again their mother looked up. Before Nico could move Bianca lashed out at him, whirling around and grabbing his arms.

"Bianca! What on earth-" Her mother cried jumping up from the table. Her chair fell over with a clatter.

Nico struggled to pull his arms away from her. Gripping his wrists tightly Bianca brought his arms around, pulling down his shirt sleeves and exposing the red cuts. The room fell silent as their mother stared at him.

"Nico…" She said trailing off.